Reed mute



INVENTOR. TZac/Z pa QZ M/M 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v I ZUCK REED MUTE Filed June 28, 1946 V. l. ZUCK Aug. 22, 1950 REED MUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1946 m m m w.

-37 Jul-39 77 I Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REED MUTE Victor 1. Zuck, Kenmore, N. Y., assignor to The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, North Tona- Wanda, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio ApplicationJune 28, 1946, SerialNo. 680,025

12 Claims. ,1

The present invention relates to reed organs, and particularly to mutes employed therein. :Specifically, the invention concerns mute structures for electric organs of the type wherein vibratoryreedsare employed as tone generators, .as in l-Ioschke Patent No. 1015;014, dated Sept. 17, 1935.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of reed mute individual to each reed cell, which-permits ready access to he had to individual reeds without disturbing other mutes or reeds, and .at the same tim enablesa firm mountingof the mutes witha minimum number of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide-animproved mute, of the type. defined,-which is arranged to permit access to the reed with "which it is associated without removal of the fastening meanswhich secures the mute in place.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of reed mutes which provides greatenaccessihility to the reeds with which they are associated, andatthe same time provides a more air-tight closure for the reed cells than that which is .obtained by the use of route strips .encompassinga plurality of reed cells.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved and more air tight reed cell closur which avoids the use of .felt, leather, chainois, or like gaskets, which are .subject to the absorptionof moisture with resulting electrical leakage.

The. eand-other objectsofthe invention will be more fully understood upon a perusal of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. lisa rearelevational .view'of an electronic reed organ chosen to illustrate one application of the invention;

Fig.2 .is-a partial side elevational view of the organ disclosed'in Fig. .1 as -seen from .the left side thereof;

Fig. .3 is an enlarged .crosssectional view of thewindchest'and reed cell blocks of the organ shown;

Fig.4 is a top view,.on.a:further ,enlargedscale, -.of.a.portionof a blockorrowof reedcells;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational View of th block of reedeells disclosedin Fig. 4;

Fig. .6 is a transverse sectional .view through tlie reed cells, taken. as indicated by the=line.6$ of .Fig. -'7;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through .one of the reed ,cellsshown in .Fig. 6 and .Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the improved mute .of the present invention.

ihe electronic organ disclosed herein isan example of one type of organ in which the improvedrnute construction of the presentinvention may be employed. Described briefly, the organ comprises ,a plurality of reeds which are mounted in individual reed cells, each cell having an inlet communicating with a wind chest .irorn which air is admitted to the reed cell'under the control of ,a key controlled electrically op- .eratedpallet valve. Each reed has an electrical pickeupassociatedtherewith, as set forth in said .Hoschke patent, and which is connected to the input of an audio frequency amplifier in such manner as to produce electrical waves in response to vibration of the reed. The electrical waves thusproducedare amplified and then converted into. acoustic waves by a loudspeaker connected to the output of theamplifier.

-In common withother reed-type organs, each of .thereed cells of the organ disclosed herein includes an opening having a movable or removable cover, or mute, which is effective to bypass air admitted to the reed cell through the inlet when such opening is not sealed by the ,mute. In order to prevent the production of undesired noises and to obtain the desired operation of thereed, ,it is essential that the bypass opening be securely sealed by the mute during operation of the organ.

Beferringnow to the drawings, in Figs. ,1 and there is shown anelectronic reed 0rgan inc1ud- .ing airame ofrreed cell blocks indicated generally at l. a bloweror air compressor indicated generally at 3, and an audio frequency amplifier indicated. generally. at 5.

As shown in Fig. 3, the reedcell blocks in the frame I are separated from a wind chest ,1 by a pallet plate 9 having a plurality of openings lllthrough which airis admitted from the wind chest .1 to individual reed cells H, under the control of valves orpallets, such as [2, which are operated by individual electro-magnets [3 controlled from .the keys of the organ. Each reed cell is provided with an air activated reed M and exhaust ports I S-4E3 communicating with the atmosphere.

To provide access to the reed cells ll additional openings l1, Figs. .3 and 7, are provided therein. The openings l'larenormally sealed by ,mutes .19 to prevent air admitted through the ,inlet |,0 from being icy-passed around the reeds. ;Each .strip.of.reed cells is furthermore enclosed byacoverjflrhinged at,,2l and secured by screws 22. The covers are lined with acoustic material to prevent radiation of acoustic Waves from the reeds. The uppermost cover is broken away, in part, in Fig. l to show the aligned reed cell arrangement.

The construction of the reed cells and mutes will now-be described with particular reference to Figs. 4 through 8. The blocks of reed cells may, for example, be formed by milling spaced transverse slots as indicated at 23, Fig. 6, in an elongated wood strip 24, whereby to form the individual cell cavities. A wood strip 25 is glued or otherwise secured to the strip 23 at its front end, as shown in Fig. 7; the openings I1, heretofore mentioned, being formed by cutting notches in the strip 25 at spaced intervals along its lower edge portion. A base block 26, provided with the exhaust ports l!5, is secured to the lower edge of the strip 25 and to the lower edge of the walls formed between the recesses 23, the entire assembly being secured to the pallet board 9 with the individual cell cavities in alignment with the inlet openings I0.

The reeds l4 fit into the openings H, and into M suitable retention grooves 21 formed in the wall structures. Each of the reeds 64 includes a frame 29, having a rectangular opening which is almost completely closed by a metallic vibratory element 3| secured at one end to the frame 29.

.The vibratory element 3| may be pre-formed in any of a number of different shapes to provide a desired timbre to the notes produced thereby.

Each of the reed frames 29 is furthermore provided with a notch or finger recess 33 to facilitate withdrawal of the reed from the reed cell.

Each of the reed cells is provided with an open- .ing 35 through which there extends a threaded rod 31 having a metal disk 39 attached to one end thereof. The disks 39 and vibratory elements 3| form variable condensers by means of which the mechanical vibrations of the reeds are caused to generate electrical waves having characteristics corresponding to the mechanical vibrations of the vibratory elements 3i, as described in said Hoschke patent, The threaded rods 3! pass through tanned openings in a plastic cells through the associated in ets I!) from escapin throw: t e o enin s H. the mutes, or closures, 19 are provided for sealing each of the reed cells. The use of a single mute strin to cover all of the o enings I! resents difficulties in that in order to remove any one of the reeds I 4 from its associated cell. the entire mute strip must be remo ed. which ordinarily necessit tes the removal of a plurality of screws. The repeated loosening or removal of the screws, each time any reed within a cell block is adjusted. results in premature enlargement of the screw holes with resulting loosening of the screws and misalignment of the mute strip causing loss of tone quality in theinstrument. An elongated mute strip also presents problems of misalignment due to warping and the like; and generally gaskets of felt. leather, or chamois are provided which are subject to the absorption of moisture with resulting electrical leakage. Still further, the use of a single mute strip for a considerable numher of cells entails possible disturbance of all of the reeds each time any one is adjusted.

The use of mutes individual to each reed cell and directly contacting the cell avoids the foregoing difficulties, but presents problems of providing an adequate seal without employing a cumbersome, expensive and unwieldly securing arrangement. In accordance with the present invention individual mutes are provided for each of the cells, the mutes, however, being interlocked and secured in a manner such that a tight seal is provided while at the same time a readily accessible, simplified, and satisfactory mounting means is employed. More specifically, the individual mutes [9 are provided with complementary flanges 5! and 53 extending from opposite sides thereof. Each of the flanges is preferably made equal to about one-half the thickness of the mute. These flanges are offset so that the flange 53 on one mute overlaps the flange 5! of an adjacent mute when in operating position. Each of the mutes I9 is pivotally secured to the wall 25 of the reed block by means of a wood screw 55 and a spring washer 51, which screw passes through an opening in the mute [9 disposed relatively close to the flange 53. When a screw 55 is tightened, the resiliency of the spring washer serves to secure the mute through which the screw passes to the wall 25, and simultaneously to secure an adjacent one of the mutes through the medium of the flange 53 engaging flange 5! of such adjacent mute.

In order to permit a grip to be obtained on the mute when it is desired to rotate it on its mounting screw to enable removal of the reed associated therewith from its cell, each of the mutes is provided with a recess 59 on the side adjacent the flange 5!. The lowermost half of each flange 5! is chamfered to provide clearance when the mute is rotated counterclockwise in the manner illustrated in Fig. 5. As is obvious, a boss or like finger or tool engaging means may be employed instead of the recess 59, if desired. In addition to closing the by-pass openings H, the mutes l9 also serve to take up any play which exists between the reed frames 29 and the base plate 26. Leaf springs 69 further bear against the reed frames to hold them in position and to establish electrical connection therewith.

While the improved form of reed mute disclosed herein may be constructed of numerous materials, such as wood, laminated sheet plastic, and metal, it is preferred that they be molded of plastic material for the sake of uniformity, durability, and economy.

It will now be apparent that by reason of the novel construction and mounting of the im'- proved mute disclosed herein, ready access may be had to the reeds, while at the same time a very efficient closure of the by-pass openings is provided by reason of the interlocking arrangement of the mutes. Due to the resiliency of washers 51 it is not even necessary to loosen the screws 55 to permit any one of the mutes to be swung open, there is far less likelihood of the mounting screws becoming loose in the reed blocks than there is when all of the screws holding a mute strip in place must be removed each time any reed in the strip requires adjustment; thus insuring firm sealing of the reed cells over long periods of time. In the event the screws 55 are loosened, only a slight loosening is necessary, and only two screws need be adjusted to release any mute.

Inasmuch as no mounting parts need be removed, loss of screws or the like is eliminated, and inasmuch as each mute is individual to one cell, the adjustment or replacement of any reed maybe more rapidly carried out. Inasmuch as each mute conforms individually to its seat, a more tight and effective seal is provided, and the relatively small mute bodies prevent, warping. Moisture absorbing gaskets are eliminated. The recesses 59 permit the mutes to be pivoted without engaging their lower sealing surfaces 6!, so that such sealing surfaces are not marred or impaired. The tonal quality of the organ is thus preserved, and air leakage and noise avoided.

While only a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and therefore it is the aim in the appended claims to cover all modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A mute for an electronic reed organ having a plurality of reed cells, said mute comprising a body portion having a face for sealing an opening in a reed cell, means formed on the body portion for pivotally mounting the mute in respect to the cell, and complementary flanges extending from opposite sides of said body portion, a plurality of like mutes mountable in a row thereof with the mute faces disposed in a common plane and the flanges of adjacent mutes in engagement.

2. A mute for an electronic reed organ hav ing a plurality of reed cells, said mute comprising a body portion having a face for sealing an opening in a reed cell, means formed on the body portion for pivotally mounting the mute in re-- spect to the cell, a plurality of like mutes mountable in a row, and complementary sides on said body portion shaped to effect overlapping engagement with the sides of like adjacent mutes with the mute faces disposed in a common plane.

3. In a reed organ, a row of reed cells provided with openings, and individual detachable mutes fastened over the openings in each of said cells, said mutes including overlapping portions arranged to overlap each other whereby the fastening of each mute to its cell aids in fastening an adjacent one of the mutes to eifect sealing of the openings in the reed cells.

t. In a reed organ, a row of reed cells provided with. openings, a reed positioned in each of said cells with a portion of the reed extending through the cell opening, and individual mutes fastened over each of the openings and bearing against the extending portion of the reeds, said mutes being pivotally mounted for movement in the plane of said mutes to provide access to the reeds which they bear against upon pivotal movement of the mutes.

5. In a reed organ, a reed block including a row of reed cells having individual openings therein, a row of mutes individually associated with 5 id cells each having a face portion covering a corresponding one of the openings in the reed cells to seal the same, said mutes being pivotally mounted by means of screws passing through openings in the mutes and into the reed block, and complementary engageable flanges formed on adjacent mutes to assist in securing the mutes to the reed block so as to effect a tight seal.

6. In a reed organ, a reed block including a row of reed cells provided with individual openings, a reed positioned in each of said cells with a portion of the reed extending through the cell opening, a row of mutes individually associated with said cells each bearing against a corre sponding one of the reeds, having a face portion covering the associated cell opening to seal the same, said mutes being pivotally mounted by means of screws passing through openings in the mutes and into the reed block, said screws being provided with spring washers for urging the mutes into engagement with the cells, and coinplementary engage-able formed on adjacent mutes to assist in securing the mutes in operating position.

'2. A reed organ mute comprising a substan" tially rectangular body portion having a first face for sealing a reed cell opening with which the mute is associated having a second face perpendicular to the first for engaging a reed extending through the cell opening, said body portion having an opening extending therethrough perpendicular to said first face and near one side of said body portion for pivotally mounting the mute by means of a screw, and complementary flanges extending from opposite sides of said body portion, the flange extending from the side nearest the opening in said body portion being shaped to overlap the complementary flange of an adjacent mute when mounted in a row thereof to assist in obtaining a tight seal by the provision of only a single mounting screw for each mute.

8. A reed organ mute comprising a substantially rectangular body portion having a first face for sealing a reed cell opening with which mute is associated and having a second face perpendicular to the first for engaging a reed extendin' through the cell opening, said body portion. having an opening extending therethrough perpendicular to said first face and near one side of said body portion for pivotally mounting the mute by means of a screw, complementary flanges extending from opposite sides of said body portion, the flange extending from the side nearest the opening in said body portion being shaped to overlap the complementary flange of an adjacent mute when mounted in a row thereof to assist in obtaining a tight seal by the provision of only a single mounting screw for each mute, and a finger grip on said body portion opposite the first face thereof.

9, In a reed organ, a reed block having a plurality of spaced openings therein, a plurality of reeds positioned within said reed block with portions extending through corresponding openings, and. individual mutes bearing against the extending portion of each of said reeds and covering the corresponding opening, said mutes including portions in overlapping engagement with each other to enable firm fastening of the mutes to said reed block by means of a single screw for each mute.

10. In an electronic organ, a plurality of reed cells provided with openings, vibratory reeds individually disposed within said cells, said reeds forming a part of an electronic, tone producing circuit and comprising tone generators therefor, and a plurality of mutes individually secured to each reed cell for pivotal movement in the plane of said mutes and providing a closure for its opening.

11. In an electronic organ, a plurality of reed cells provided with openings, vibratory reeds individually disposed Within said cells, said reeds forming a part of an electronic tone producing circuit and comprising tone generators therefor, and a plurality of mutes individually secured to each reed cell and providing a closure for its opening, each of said reeds having a portion projecting from its cell engaged by its corresponding mute. V

12. In an electronic organ, a plurality of reed cells provided with openings, vibratory reeds individually disposed within said cells, said reeds forminga part of an electronic tone producing circuit'and comprising tone generators therefor, and a plurality of mutes individually secured to each reed cell and providing a closure for its opening, the securing means for the mutes comprising, a screw and spring washer individual to each mute, whereby the mute is pivotal in its'own plane to expose its associated opening.

1 VICTOR I. ZUCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,015,014 Hoschke Sept. 1'7, 1935 

